High CVE

Information

A High CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) alert signifies a significant security vulnerability within a package that can lead to serious security risks. CVEs are standardized identifiers for known security vulnerabilities in software.

Socket’s AI-powered threat detection flags packages with high CVEs to ensure they receive prompt attention and action. These vulnerabilities are typically well-documented and can include issues like unauthorized access, data leaks, or service disruptions. Addressing them is essential for maintaining your system's security and reliability.

Why High CVEs are Important:

1. Severity of Impact:
   High CVEs can lead to substantial damage, such as unauthorized data access, data breaches, and service interruptions. Ignoring these vulnerabilities can compromise your system's security and functionality.
2. Public Disclosure:
   CVEs are publicly disclosed and documented in various security databases, making it easier for attackers to exploit these known vulnerabilities if left unpatched.
3. Compliance and Trust:
   Addressing CVEs is often a compliance requirement for various industry standards and helps maintain the trust of users and stakeholders.

Recommended actions

High CVEs indicate serious security vulnerabilities that could potentially lead to significant security breaches if exploited.

Suggested Action Configuration

Alert Action: Warn

• Justification: High-risk alerts need to be flagged for review but may not require immediate blocking. This ensures that developers are aware of the risks and can take necessary actions without halting their work.
• Action: Switch to "Warn" for these alerts. These will show up in your PRs or MRs, the Socket Dashboard, and through any integrations you've set up, like Slack notifications or security incident and event management (SIEM) systems. It's for when you're ready to take findings seriously but not let them stop developer work.

Investigate the Dependency

• Verify the CVE: Check the official CVE database and the package’s repository for details about the vulnerability.
  Assess Impact: Determine how the vulnerability affects your project and assess the potential damage it can cause.
  Apply Patches or Updates
• Upgrade the Package: Update to a patched version of the package if available.
  Apply Workarounds: If a patch is not available, apply any recommended workarounds or temporary fixes.
• Monitor for Updates:
  Keep an eye on the package repository and CVE database for any updates or new patches.
  Re-evaluate Regularly: Regularly review your dependencies and their associated vulnerabilities.
  

Example Response
For example, if you receive a high CVE alert for a popular npm package, you should:

• Investigate: Verify the CVE details and understand its impact.
• Update: Apply any available patches or update the package to a newer, secure version.
• Monitor: Keep monitoring the package for any future vulnerabilities or updates.

Examples

High CVEs represent vulnerabilities with a high severity score, typically in the range of 7.0 to 8.9, according to the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). These vulnerabilities are less severe than critical CVEs but still pose a significant threat that requires timely remediation.

Examples of High CVEs

• Unauthorized Access: Vulnerabilities that allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems or data.
• Data Breaches: Vulnerabilities that can lead to the exposure of sensitive information.
• Service Disruptions: Vulnerabilities that can cause denial of service (DoS) or other significant interruptions to services.

Detection Method

Socket integrates with the GitHub Security Advisory Database to ingest Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) and other security advisories.

High CVEs:

• Criteria: CVEs with a CVSS score between 7.0 and 8.9.
• Action: Generate a high-priority alert. Recommend timely remediation.
• Example: "High CVE detected in package Y. Review and update to a secure version."

By integrating with the GitHub Security Advisory Database, Socket provides robust protection against vulnerabilities in open-source dependencies.

GitHub Security Advisory Database:

The GitHub Security Advisory Database is a comprehensive resource that contains security advisories from various sources, including the National Vulnerability Database (NVD), community submissions, and advisories curated by GitHub. It helps developers stay informed about vulnerabilities that could affect their projects.

For more information about the GitHub Security Advisory Database, visit GitHub Advisory Database.

Additional resources

National Vulnerability Database (NVD):

• The NVD is a comprehensive repository of known vulnerabilities maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It provides detailed information about each CVE, including severity ratings, descriptions, and references.
• NVD Website

MITRE CVE Database:

• MITRE manages the CVE list, which includes identifiers and descriptions of publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
• MITRE CVE Database

GitHub Security Advisories:

• GitHub provides a platform for reporting and tracking vulnerabilities in open-source projects hosted on GitHub. This includes detailed advisories on CVEs affecting these projects.
• GitHub Security Advisories

CVE Details:

• This website provides detailed information about CVEs, including statistics, timelines, and affected products.
• CVE Details

Socket Blog:

• CVE Publication Hits All-Time High: 5,000+ Vulnerabilities Reported in May
• node-ip Maintainer Restores GitHub Repo After Archiving Due to Overblown CVE Rating
• Limitations of CVE-Based Security Scanners: A Deep Dive into 3 Notable Supply Chain Attacks